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(No Manel.) s sneeze-sheet 1.

C. S. NELLIS.

GHARGOAL KILN. No. 283,643. Patented Aug. 21, 1883.

(Nu Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

C. S. NELLIS. GHARGOAL KILN. No. 283,643. Patented Aug. 2l, 1883.

N. Ferns, mmmmmr. wmamm mc.

UNITED S'ra'rns PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES S. NELLIS, OF OHITTENANGO, YORK, ASSIGNO OF ONE- FOURTH TO THOMAS l?. HULL, OF SAME PLACE.

cHARCoAL-KlLN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 283,643, dated August 21, 1883.

ApplicationiledJune 2,1883.A (Remodel.) O

*To @ZZ whom t may concern.-

Beit known that I, CHARLES, S. Nnnms, of illhittenango,` in the county of Madison, in the State of New York, have'invented new and useful Improvements in Oharcoal-Kilns, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention has special reference to retorts employed for charring and distilling wood.

The object of my invention is to effect the aforesaid charring and distillation' in a more expeditiousV and at the same time more economical, convenient, and perfect manner, and to that end my invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the retort and the appliances vfor heating the same, as hereinafter fully described, and set forthin the claims.

In the annexed drawings, Figure l is an elevation of a wood-distilling apparatus embodying my invention, portions of the front being broken away to show vertical sections thereof respectively around the exterior of one of the retorts and through the center of another, 'for the purpose of more fully illustrating the invention.

' sections, respectively, von lines c :c and y g/ in Fig. 1. Fig. et is a top view of the apparatus. Fig. 5 is a horizontal-transverse section on line z e; and Figs. G and T 'are horizontal transverse sections of the retort, illustrating modifieations in the detail construction thereof.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A A represent fire-arches built in 'firm and substantial masonry,l which is extended above the iire-aichesto support and inclose the retorts .It R and fire-lines, hereinafter described. The retort consists of a stout metal cylinder l placed in an erect position, and having a com- Figs. Vv2 and 3 are vertical transverse,

of the most essential parts oflmy improvements, in that I effect a more rapid penetration and more thorough and uniform distribution of heat through the retort; and since it is obvious that the aforesaid feature admits of many variations in the detail construction and form of the retort and its internal heating apparatus, I do not limit myself in that respect. y

The retort R, I prefer to construct cylindrical, with the combustion-chamber or firelue (l arranged concentrical therein, as illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings; and in order 'to admit of drawing the charcoal from the retion-chamber O, each of said compartments 'being provided with an inlet, b, for the wood .at the top and an outlet, c, for the charcoal at lthe bottonnboth of which are closed by removable air-tight covers c', secured in their position by clamps d during the operation of the retort, thusmaking the said compartments serve as separate and distinct retorts surrounding the combustion-chamber C.

D and D represent two fire-lines, one of which connects the combustion-chambers of the several retorts at their upper end, and the other flue connects said combustion-chambers at the base of the retorts. -Both of these flues communicate at each end with a smoke-stack, S, so that they are enabled to carry the products of combustion in either direction. Between the retorts are vertical fines E, by which the two ues D and D communicate with each other.

The transmission o f the products of combustion through theaforesaid iiues is controlled and regulated by the following arrangement of dampers or valves: In both the upper and lower flue, D and D', are movable or adjustable dampers e e', arranged between the com- IOO the source of heat, and cool the said retort for the purpose of recharging it, or repairing or renewing the same, without interfering with the operation of the remainder of the set of retorts. g

The operation of the aforesaid arrangement of iiues and dampers in connection with the retorts is as follows: For a more comprehensible explanation of the operation of my inven tion I have shown in the annexed drawings two chimneys, (designated S and SQ) connected with opposite ends of the apparatus. Such arrangement, however, is not necessary, as the two horizontal fluesD D can easily be made to communicate at opposite ends with one and the same chimney, assuming the retort next to the chimney S to be the first of the set. Then if all the retorts are charged with wood to be charred and distilled, fire is applied to the respective rearches AA A, and inthe upper iiue, D, the damper e between the iirst retort and chimney S and the damper c between each vertical flue E and succeeding retort are closed. So are also the dampers e in the lower flue, D', between the vertical flues and preceding retort, as illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings. The remainder of the dampers being open,causes the products of combustion to rise in the first retort, thence proceed, as in dicated by arrows, through the upper flue, D, down through the first vertical flue E, thence through the lower flue, D', into the combustion-chamber C of the second retort, where it unites with the products of combustion from the iire-box A underneath said second retort, and proceeds with the same to the succeeding flue's and retorts in the order aforesaid, as represented. A Therepeated subjection of the products of combustion to a fresh source of heat promotes combustion and enhances the utilization of the same. When it is found that the last retort receives excessive heat, or a much greater heat than the first retort, then the direction of the heat can be reversed by opening the closed dampers c e,r before described, and closing the other dampers. In case it is. desired to isolate one of the retorts from the source of heat, or to cool said retort for the purpose of recharging the same, or repairing or renewing that section of the apparatus, the rire in its respective nre-'arch is to be extin- ,guished7 and both dampers e e in the lower iue at opposite sides of the retort areto be closed, and those in the upper ilue to be openedto allow the products of combustion to Vliberated from the pyroligneous acid in a manner well understood by all personsv conversant with the art to which my invention relates.

f denotes a pipeextended from'the aforesaid condenser to.a small chamber, g, at the side of the fire-box A, with which said chamber communicates by perforations orducts it', as shown in the sectional view iirFig. l of thedrawings.

The gases conducted to the fire-box by the pipe g and ducts .i t' serve to sustain the fire. in the f1re-box. The fire-box and subjaeent ash-pit h are both closed by doors fZLZQ the upper of which is provided with .a 'suitable valve or damper, a, by which -to admit the' requisite amount of oxygen into the fire-box to promote combustion therein. f y

The base of the respective retortsI provide with a trap in the form of a diaphragm, u, hinged to the interior of the retort,^some distance above the discharge-port c thereof, and preferably on the farther side from the front, so that when the retort is opened and the .dial-V phragm dropped to allow the charcoal to escape through the discharge-port c the said diaphragm willlie close to the rear side of the spout or discharge-opening, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and thus allow the charcoal to freely escape from the retort. When the retort is closed and in operation,the diaphragm u is sustained in a horizontal position across the retort to support thewood above it. Such of the moisture whichlis` expelled from the wood in the process of charring and not vapor- -ized precipitates and passes through suitable openings or perforations in the diaphragm into the space underneath it, where it can be drawn off by a suitable outlet, 1), and collected in a suitable receptacle by which to convey it to a 'distilling apparatus. Under 4the discharge` opening of the retort is a niche, N, formed in the masonry to admit the usual cooler, H, for the reception of the charcoal from the'retort, said coolers being transported on suitable trucks, T, mounted on tracks L, extended from the interior of the niche outward a sufficient distance to allow two coolers to stand outside of theniche.

An elevated track, K, is arranged along the front of the apparatus, and on said track is mounted a sheave or carrier, M, from which depends an arm, l?, provided with a hook on which to hang the cooler H. Theloaded cooler is thereby carried in a suspended position to the place where the charcoal is to be deposited. An empty cooler having previously been brought yby the aforesaid conveyance to the track-L in front of the retortto be discharged,

IOO

IIO

esame e said cooler is carried into the niche N by the truck T, to receivethe succeeding delivery fromthe retort.A

The whole apparatus is properly stayed by timbers B B, placed against opposite sides thereof, and tieerods extended across and through the timbers vat different points in' the .the source of heat, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of two air-tight semicylindrical retorts joined at their straight or diametrical sides7 and provided in the center of their adjacentrsides with coinciding longitudinal channels, substantially as described and shown.

3. In combination-with two or more retorts and rearches for heating the same, combustionfchambers extended through the retorts,

flues connecting the combustion-chambers at each end of the retorts, intermediate iiues connecting the aforesaid dues, and dampers for controlling the communication between said lues, substantially as and for the purpose 3o set forth.

4.' The combination of the retorts having the combustion chamber extending through it, horizontal ilues communicating at cach end with the chimney and connected with the coin- 3 5 bustion-chambcrs, respectively, at the upper v and lower end of the retorts, Vertical iiues connecting the horizontal ues intermediately between the retorts, and dampers in the horizontal ilues intermediately between the vertical 4o iiues and the combustion-chambers at each side thereof` substantially as described and shown.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my seal, in the presence of two attesting witnesses, at Syracuse, in the 45 county of Onondaga., in the State of New York, this 29th day of May, 1883.

(inns. s. nnnms. [n s] 'Wi tn esses FREDERICK H. Gines, WM. C. RAYMOND. 

